Radio frequency transmission network



Jan., 24, 1959 R. w. MASTERS RADIO FREQUENCY TRANSMISSION NETWORK Filed July 2l, 1947 #l mm? faz EY ATTORNEY Patented Jan. 24, 1950 RADEO FREQUENCY TRANSMISSION NETWURK Robert W. Masters, Erlton, N. J., assigner to Radio Corporation of America, a corporation of Delaware Application July 21, 1947, Serial No. 762,479

8 Claims.

The present invention relates to radio frequency transmission networks and more particularly to diplexing arrangements whereby a plurality of radio frequency carriers may be fed t a single load circuit or antenna.

, An object of the present invention is the improvement of diplexing arrangements.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a low cost simplied television antenna system.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a television transmission line system which eliminates the necessity of expensive and complicated vestigia] sideband filters as heretofore used.

Still a further object of the present invention is to provide a practical wide band absorbing system for purpose of dissipating unwanted sidebands, of a carrier frequency, and energy of unwanted lower sidebands reected from a combined antenna and high pass filter.

To understand the improved system of the present invention, it will be necessary to brieily review a system as now commonly used.

In the present system, am'plication is done in the transmitter on a double sideband basis, wherein sidebands on both sides of carrier are amplified equally. Before the television signals go on the air, it is necessary to filter out all components of frequency less than 1.25 megacycles below carrier frequency. The filter must have a crossover network provided for shunting off and absorbing the energy in these unwanted sidebands while at the same time presenting an excellent impedance match to the main transmission line at all frequencies. Such lters at present are located at the output of the picturetransmitter, and act to modify the signals in such a way as to make them conform to accepted standards of the art, before they enter the diplexing network and thence proceed to the antenna. Means are provided in the filter for absorbing the very considerable power in the unwanted sidebands.

In the system according to the present invention the sideband filter is removed from the picture signal transmission line entirely and the picture carrier and both sidebands are piped into the diplex unit whereby both picture and sound signals are coupled to a common antenna. The operation of the diplex unit and the reflected picture signal absorbing network is similar to that described in my prior application, Serial No. 714,620, led December 6, 1946, but due to the rearrangement of the elements thereof, a broader band effect is obtained.

The present invention contemplates the additional use of the absorbing network for reected picture signals for dissipating the unwanted sidebands. Thus, a single absorbing network, in addition to balancing the power drawn bythe two halves of a turnstile antenna and removing echoes due to mismatch at the antenna, also disposes of the unwanted sidebands of the picture signals. The absorbing network is so adjusted as not to aiect the sound signals, but to be broad band enough to absorb al1 picture signals coming down through the diplex network as reected from high pass filter networks between the diplex network and the antenna as well as any signals returning from the antenna. The filter networks in the transmission lines are exactly alike.

The present invention will be more fully understood by reference to the following detailed description which is accompanied by a drawing in which there is illustrated in the single ligure in schematic form an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring now to the iigure, the general operation of the system will rst be described. There is shown a picture transmitter P from which a picture modulated carrier wave is carried by coaxial transmission line I to the diplexing arrangement. The coaxial transmission line has an inner conductor 2 and an outer conductor 3. At the end of transmission line I remote from the picture transmitter P, the outer conductor 3 of the transmission line is surrounded by an outer sleeve 1. In an end-to-end coaxial relationship with the outer conductor 3 of line I is a section of a conductive tubing 5, coaxially surrounding an extension l of inner conductor 2 of transmission line I. The outer sleeve 'I is of such length as to enclose the end of outer conductor 3 and tubular conductor 5 each for a distance approximating a quarter wavelength. At its ends sleeve 'I is connected to conductors 3 and 5 respectively.

The action of coaxial conductors 2, 3 and 4, 5 is such as to transform the electrical system from an unbalanced to a balanced-to-ground method of transmission. At points B and 9 at the adjacent ends of conductors 3 and 5 the voltages are balanced to ground; that is, at a given instance the voltage on one will be positive while the other is negative but of equal amplitude.

To points 8 and 9 is connected a half wave loop of coaxial transmission line ID. The coaxial line I@ has an outer casing I2 connected at each end to outer sleeve I while the ends of the inner conductor II are connected to points 8 and 9 of conductors 3 and 5. Since loop I0 is a half wave,

long at the sound carrier frequency it has only a very small eiTect as a shunt reactance upon the impedance presented to the picture line I of the diplexing unit. This is true since sound and picture frequencies are close together. The reactance looping into loop at points 8 and 9 is nearly infinite. However, since the point I3 at the center oi the loop. is eiectively at ground potentialA with regard' to the picture carrierfre quency but is not physically connected to ground, it is possible to feed in a sound modulated carrier wave at this point from the sound transmitter C! through coaxial transmission line'- I5V having aninner conductor IB and an outer conductor Si. Since both sides of the loop I0 are of equallength the energy from sound signaltransmitter Sv arrives at points 8 and 9 in an in-phase re1ation ship. That is, at any given instant, when point il is positive, point il is likewiseL positive. Hence, no energy can couple to the picture signal trans. mitter P because there issno voltage across transmission line I to drive itin that direction. While I- liave shown a particular type: of diplex unit which is` satisfactory, it should' be clearlyv understood that my invention is. notV limited thereto. Actually, any circuit which can be reduced in its operating fundamentals to a type of Wheatstone bridge arrangement may equally well b e used.

Energy at points 8. and 9 from both the picture and sound signal transmitter; flows out the lines 22 and 23 through highV pass filter networks 5I and' 52 and proceeds toY what are in eiect isolated, dissipative loads for each signal. The lters-EI and 52 are. designed so that they begin to reject frequencies startingat .75 megacycie per second below picture carrier frequency and reject', to a predetermined level, all frequencies below 1125 megacycles persecond below4 carrier fre quency. At all frequencies. above the critical cut-01T point, the lters transmit energy and' present a good match to the line. The respective outer conductors surrounding lines 22 and 23 to make these lines coaxial transmission lines are not shown nor areV the phasing networks for feed ing the opposite halves of' each radiator in phase opposition. In the present arrangement thel loadsare represented by-a turnstile television antenna A. While I have shown antenna A as being' a broad-band radiator; a simplecrossed rod turnstile arrangement may-bevused if desired. Line 23 contains a quarter wave phasing loop 24 along its length whereby line 23 is electrically a quarter wave-longer than'transmission line 22. Thus the phase rotation of the radiated; picture signal is in the opposite direction to that of the sound signal'. The` signals are therefore independently radiated and do notinteract with one another.

Now, since thelower'sidebands arenot transmitted to the antenna through the filtersV 5`I, 52

they are reected backto the diplexN unit. The reflected waves' arriving at points 8 and' 9 ofthe' diplexing system, j are now in phasel instead of l out of phase; since line- 23 has caused' a 180 degree phase lagA from thev two trips through the phasing;

loop 24. The returning reflected lower'sideband cannot enter the pictureisign'arline I because the' energy in lines 22 and 23'- is in an irl-phase relationship but it can proceed toward the sound transmitter S along transmission line I5.

Atpoint 3I the transmission line I5 in effect branches into a side line and a main line, the Side branch 2B, includingouter conductor 27 and inner conductor 28. Thisdne eventually leads to a second transmitter S. At a distance equal to one quarter of the sound carrier wavelength is from point SI1 is-.connected across branch 34'in.- cluding outer shell' 29' andan adjustable length inner conductor 33. Thel T sections areV tuned such that' they reflect a short circuitat points 3| and 32 at wavelength Xs, and' open circuits at the' same points at wavelength'ip allowing no intermediateV critical frequencies. The lter formed by the. cross branch 34 passessound` signals between transmitters and line, I 5;v without interference while acting so as to reject the picture carrier. Thus, at point 3l picture signals are required to pass on along line I5 finally arriving at terminatingI resistor 40 when they are dissipated.

At a distance equal to a quarter of the sound carrier wavelength from point 3| at point 32 is placed'. a second notch filter including a T formation of.' transmission lines 45 and 50. Line 45 has an inner conductor 48 and outer shell 46 while line 5I)` has an outer shell 49 and an adjustable lengthinner conductor 43. The line length and points of connection in this second filter correspond to those of filter arrangement 25. Due to the presence of' this secondiilter' at a distance of a quarter. wavelength from point 3| energy from soundLtransmitterScannot proceed along line' I5 toward terminating resistorlili.

At a near picture carrier wavelengths the notch lters 25 andY Ell are very'close toshort circuited so. that at' points: 3I4 and 32 they appear asA open circuits allowing allv of 'the rejected sidebands and antenna echoes to proceed toresistor 40 and theiry be absorbed.

It shouldbe noted'that the sound transmitteris well protected from rejected picture' signals since filter 25V is a near short circuit for all wavelengths exceptthat of the sound carrier andoddrnultiples thereof.

Where Ihave'referred to line lengths as beingl a unitary fractional' part of' aY wavelength, it' should be understood that odd multiples thereof maybe used if desired.

Any portion oi?- the lower sideband notv absorbed in the resistor' 40 andwhich may be reliected'go back to the-filters' 5I and"v 52 and'reect again. ThisK time they go back' to the picture transmitter P since they are now,v duev to their' successive passages. through phasing loop 24, in. a phase opposing relationship at points 8 and 9. At the picture transmitter',.they are reiiectedback to. the diplex unit, thence to the filters and back to. the. absorbing resistor 4S for a second absorpwave, the lower sideband is reduced to avery lowl level..

The.l above4 described. invention.. combines the.

power equalizing and: echo absorbing. properties of network. 25 asdescribed inmy prior. applica,-

v tion,.Seral No. 714,620, led December 6, 1946, to.

gether with thenecessary absorption of the-lower'. sidebands.- allintoa single network, andi results a network. simplificationv of a complicated system.

Whil I. haveeillustrated. a particular embodiment of.thepresentinventicn,,it should beclearlyrunderstood` that' it. is not limited'. thereto since: manyfmodicationsmay be. made in: the several. elements: employedV and in their arrangement and` it is therefore contemplated by the appended: claimsA to cover any such modifications asl fall: within the spiritandscope-of the invention.

Whatis 'claimed is 1'. In ai radio frequency transmission network includingfa plurality of sources ofhigh frequency waves, individual transmission lines from each of' said' sources to a common junction point, output transmission lines from said junction point t'o an antenna; lter circuits in` each of' saldi outputI transmission lines adapted'- tofblockr the passage 75 ofisid'ebands to` one sideof the frequency of one of said sources and means in the'transmissi'on Aline from the other of said sources effective to absorb energy appearing therein from the said one of said sources.

2. In a radio frequency transmission network including a plurality of sources of high frequency waves, individual transmission lines from each of said sources to a common junction, means at said junction point for combining said waves into a pair of output transmission lines, the energy from "one of said source being applied to said output transmission lines in a push pull relationship and from the other of said sources in a Push push relationship, one of said output lines having a quarter wave loop therein whereby energy from both of said sources is applied to a load in a phase quadrature relationship, each of said lines having therein a high pass lter network adjusted to cut oi the sidebands to one side of thev frequency of one of said sources, and means in the transmission line from the other of said sources'eiective to absorb energy appearing therein from said one of said sources.

3. In a radio frequency transmission network including a plurality of sources of high frequency waves, individual transmission lines from each of said sources to a common junction point, means at said junction point for combining said waves into a pair of output transmission lines, the energy from one of said sources being applied to said output transmission lines in a push pull relationship and from the other of said sources in a push push relationship, one of said output lines having a quarter wave loop therein whereby energy from both of said sources is applied to a load in a phase quadrature relationship, each of said lines havingV therein a high pass filter network so adjusted as to cut oi the side bands to one side of the frequency of one of said sources, the transmission line from the other of said sources containing an absorbing network effective to absorb energy appearing therein from said one of said sources but ineffective as to energy from the source to which said transmission line is connected.

4. A radio frequency transmission network including a plurality of sources of high frequency waves, individual transmission lines from each of said sources to a common junction point, means at said junction point for combining said waves into a pair of output transmission lines, the energy from one of said sources being applied to said output transmission lines in a push pull relationship and from the other of said sources in a push push relationship, one of said output lines having a quarter wave loop therein whereby energy from both of said sources is applied to a load in a phase quadrature relationship, each of said output lines having therein a high pass lter network so adjusted as to cut off the side bands to one side of the frequency of one of said sources, the transmission line from the other of said sources containing means effective to absorb enerby appearing therein from said one of said sources but ineffective as to energy from the source to which said transmission line is connected, said means including a pair of Tsshaped branch transmission lines each having its foot connected to said transmission line for the other of said sources, the point of connection of said branches being spaced a distance equal to a quarter of the operating wavelength of said other source, an energy dissipating resistor connected across the end of said last mentioned transmission line and the other of said sources being connected to` the'to'p of 'said' T-shapedbranch which is nearer said junction joint.

5. A radio frequency transmission network including a plurality of sources of high frequency waves, individual transmission lines from each of said sources to a common junction point, means at said junction point for combining said waves into a pair of output transmission lines, the energy from one of said Sources being applied to said output transmission lines in a push pull relationship and from the other of 'said sources in a push push relationship, one of said output lines having a q uarter wave loop therein whereby energy from both of said sources is applied toa load in a phase quadrature relationship, each of said output lines having therein a high pass iilter network so adjusted as to cut off the side bands to one side of the frequency of one of said sources, the transmission line from the other of said sources containing means efective to absorb energy appearing therein from said one of said sources but ineiective as to energy from the source to which said transmission line is connected, said means including a pair ofl T-shaped branch transmission lines each having its foot connected to said transmission line for the other of said sources, the points of connection of said branches being spaced a distance equal to a quarter of the operating wavelength of said other source, an absorber of high frequency energy connected across the end of said last mentioned transmission'line and the other of said sources being connected to the top of said T-shaped branches which is nearer said junction point, the height of each of said T-shaped branches being equal to one quarter of the Wavelength of said other source and the length of one arm of each of said branches being equal to one-quarter of the wavelength of said one source.

6. A radio frequency transmission network including a plurality of sources of high frequency waves, individual transmission lines from each of said sources to a common junction point, means at said junction point for combining said waves into a pair of output transmission lines, the energy from one of said sources being applied to said output transmission lines in a push pull relationship and from the other of said sources in a push push relationship, one of said output lines having a quarter wave loop therein whereby energy from both of said sources is applied to an antenna in a phasequadrature relationship, each of said lines having therein a high pass filter network so adjusted as to.' cut off the side bands to one side of the frequency of one of said sources, the transmission line from the other of said sources containing an absorbing network eiective to absorb energy appearing therein from said one of said sources but ineiective as to energy from the source to which said transmission line is connected.

7. A radio frequency transmission network including a plurality of sources of high frequency waves, individual transmission lines from each of said sources to a common junction point, means at said junction point for combining said waves into a pair of output transmission lines, the energy from one of said sources being applied to said output transmission lines in a push pu11 relationship and from the other of said sources in a push push relationship, means in one of said output lines to alter the phase of energy in said line whereby energy from both of said sources is applied to a load in a phase quadrature relationship, each of said lines having therein a high pass ammessa viilterffne'txxzorlr-:so-adjusted "-.fasrtopcutcoff the side bands to one-:side :of'Ltheifrequencyof one of `saidfsouroeafthe'transmission line Afrom the other `of'saidnsources containing means eiectveto'- ab- :Sorb-energyappearingtherein fromsad one of visaidfsources.:but:ineffective.as to energi7 from the sourcetowhichsaid transmission .line is connectedfsaid meansincluding ,a pair of .T-shaped :branch transmission-.lines each .having its .foot connected:to'sad.=transmission line, i or .the other ofsaid sources,zthe vpoints of `connection .of-.said branches :being 'spaced 1a distance equal to -a 'quarter' ofthe. operating :Wavelength of said other ysonrce,'ian energy .dissipating resistor connected .-across the.;.end 'offgsaid iastimentione'd transmis- 'sion linenandzthefother.of saidsources. being connected'.tozzthetopA ofsaid 'lf-.shaped branch ywhich .is rnearerisaid junction point.

.1.8. A; radio .frequency transmission networkvin :'cludin'g 'a plurality of sourcesof'high frequency "waves, ndividualftransmission linesfrom each of saidffsources.to-1.a. common junction point,tmeans `ati-,said junctionfzpointfor combining said `Waves Ainto'a pairofv output-transmission llines, the .en- 4zergyiirom-one ofsaidsources `being applied to isaid output `transmission lines inta push rpullire- .lationshipand from' the :other: of said' sources in :sa push push:relationship," means. Vin one :of Ysaid "foutputlines to alterthe phase of energy `insaid .-lines'whereby ienergyffrom both-of. said sources is applied .to .a load in a phase .quadrature relationffship,teachof.saidlines havingftherein"a high pass `ilter.inetwork so adjustedf as'fto lcut .o the side lbands. ltoeone .side-cof 'theirequency of .one fof .said sources,.the .transmission line from. the other fof saidesources .containingmeans to. absorb. en-

ergy appearing therein from.said.one ofsald sources but lineffective as .to .energy from .the

.branches-Which. is .nearersaid junction point, .the

height .of each-.of .said Tfshaped. branches being -:equa1.to..one .quartenof the wavelength of lsaid other sourceand lthe length. of 4one .arm of said .hranchesbeing equal. to .one-.quarter of .the -wavelength offsaid one source.

.ROBERTWJMASTERS A 'REFERENCES 'CITED The ollowingiireferences 'are of: recordz-in the 'of this-"patent:

UNITED "STATES lPATENTS Number -Name f Date 2,214,041 Brown Sept. 10, 1940 A341,408 .Lindenbladi Feb. f8, 1944 

